Lasun Alagbe
The location of Bariga in the heart of the mainland in Lagos cannot but make it very popular. Also of importance is the notoriety that some guys at times attract to it, although it is a home to many people leading their normal and successful life. Interestingly, Bariga is a home of many artists, many of whom are doing well, including Segun Adefila of the Crown Troupe of Africa fame, Kofivi and Seun Awobajo. These are apart from top musicians such as King Sunny Ade, Salawa Abeni, 9ice, Olamide, Lik Kesh, Ajasa and ID Cabasa, who is a producer, all of who also share the Briga arts root. The story of Bariga can, indeed, not be fully told without giving the culture and arts workers their due.
Behind such a unique character is the interesting story of how Bariga was founded. According to some oral accounts, it was founded by migrants from Ile-Ife about 600 years ago. The leader of the migrants was Bariga, and he had in his party, another personality who was of an extremely tough character.
The man was named Okuta, meaning rock, because of his physical strength and tough character. Okuta was also a warrior, a bush hunter, while his principal companion Bariga was a fish farmer. Okuta later founded Abule Okuta, also within the area.
As the account is captured in Phenomenal Lagos: 50 Monuments from the Centre of Excellence, a book written by Akeem Lasisi and Kabir Alabi, the migrants, in their search for farmlands, established farm camps or “Aba-oko” and historical, oral traditions revealed that a total of 27 communities were established. These include Ayemuwa, Iteren Mosho, and Iwonwa, other communities were located around the modern Somolu Local Government Area. It is also gathered that four of the communities were located at the spot where the University of Lagos is situated.
Meanwhile, enjoy these two poetry videos about Lagos and, for more, subscribe to Akeem Lasisi & the Songbirds on YouTube:
